Best Small Microwave

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • Small microwaves are a go-to kitchen appliance for those with limited counter space or the need for quick heating solutions. Ideal for reheating leftovers, making popcorn, or cooking simple meals, these compact units offer convenience without sacrificing functionality. Though they may lack the features of larger models, small microwaves still deliver solid cooking power. When shopping for one, size is crucial—measure your space to ensure a proper fit. Wattage, typically ranging from 600 to 1000 watts, affects cooking speed and performance. Look for user-friendly controls and preset options for common foods. We spent hours researching and testing small microwaves to find the best options for various needs and budgets, focusing on models that balance size, power, and features while fitting comfortably in smaller spaces.

  • Toshiba Compact Microwave

    10

    We think this Toshiba microwave is a solid choice for most kitchens due to its compact size and useful features.

    10

    We think this Toshiba microwave is a solid choice for most kitchens due to its compact size and useful features.

    Pros

    • Space-saving design
    • Easy-to-use preset menus
    • Quiet operation with mute option

    Cons

    • May be small for large families
    • Limited wattage for faster cooking
    • Some may find the controls finicky

    We recently tested the Toshiba EM925A5A-BS microwave in our kitchen, and we were pleased with its performance. The black stainless steel finish looks sleek on our countertop. At 0.9 cubic feet, it’s compact enough to fit in tight spaces but still roomy enough for most tasks.

    The 900-watt power output heated our food evenly. We liked the six preset menus for common items like popcorn and pizza. The one-touch start buttons from 1 to 6 minutes came in handy for quick reheating. The mute function was a nice touch for late-night snacking.

    We found the eco mode helpful for saving energy. The child lock gave us peace of mind. While it may not be powerful enough for serious cooks, we think this Toshiba model strikes a good balance of size, features, and price for most homes.

  • Farberware Compact Microwave

    9.7

    We think this Farberware microwave is a solid choice for small spaces, offering good value and basic features.

    9.7

    We think this Farberware microwave is a solid choice for small spaces, offering good value and basic features.

    Pros

    • Compact size fits well in tight spots
    • Easy-to-use one-touch cooking options
    • Child safety lock for peace of mind

    Cons

    • 700-watt power may be slow for some users
    • Small capacity limits dish sizes
    • Door can be noisy when opening/closing

    We tested this Farberware microwave in our kitchen for a week. Its compact size was perfect for our limited counter space. At 0.7 cubic feet, it easily fit a standard dinner plate but struggled with larger dishes.

    The 700-watt power worked fine for reheating leftovers and making popcorn. We found it a bit slow when cooking frozen meals, often needing extra time. The six preset buttons for popular foods like pizza and potatoes were handy and accurate in our tests.

    We liked the child safety lock feature, which gave us peace of mind. The LED display was clear and easy to read. While the microwave performed well overall, we noticed the door made a loud sound when opening and closing. This might be an issue for those sensitive to noise.

  • BLACK+DECKER Compact Digital Microwave

    9.5

    We recommend this microwave for its compact size, user-friendly features, and reliable performance at an affordable price.

    9.5

    We recommend this microwave for its compact size, user-friendly features, and reliable performance at an affordable price.

    Pros

    • Space-saving design
    • Easy-to-use preset buttons
    • Child safety lock

    Cons

    • Lower wattage than larger models
    • Small capacity limits dish sizes
    • Basic aesthetics

    We recently tested the BLACK+DECKER 0.7 cubic foot microwave in our kitchen. Its compact size is perfect for small spaces. We liked how it didn’t hog our counter.

    The preset buttons made heating common foods a breeze. We just tapped once for popcorn or a dinner plate. The digital display was clear and simple to read.

    While it’s not the most powerful model, it worked well for our daily needs. We found the 700 watts sufficient for reheating leftovers and cooking frozen meals. The 10 power levels gave us good control.

    We appreciate the child safety lock feature. It’s great for homes with curious kids. The push-button door felt sturdy and opened smoothly.

    Keep in mind, this microwave’s smaller size means it can’t fit large dishes. We couldn’t use our biggest plates. But for most meals, it was fine.

    Overall, we think this BLACK+DECKER microwave is a solid choice for small kitchens or as a secondary unit. It offers good value for its price and features.

  • Nostalgia Retro Microwave

    9.4

    We think this cute aqua microwave is a solid choice for small spaces and retro-loving cooks.

    9.4

    We think this cute aqua microwave is a solid choice for small spaces and retro-loving cooks.

    Pros

    • Eye-catching retro design
    • Compact size fits well in tight spaces
    • Easy-to-use preset cooking options

    Cons

    • Lower wattage than some larger models
    • Small capacity limits dish sizes
    • Dial control may take getting used to

    We love the look of this Nostalgia microwave. Its aqua color and chrome accents caught our eye right away. It’s a great fit for dorm rooms, small apartments, or retro-themed kitchens.

    The 0.7 cubic foot capacity is on the smaller side. We found it fits a standard dinner plate, but larger dishes might be a squeeze. With 700 watts of power, it heated our leftovers pretty well, though it took a bit longer than higher-wattage models we’ve tried.

    We appreciated the 12 preset cooking options. They made it simple to warm up common foods like popcorn and pizza. The dial control was different from button-only microwaves we’ve used before. It took some getting used to, but worked fine after a few tries.

  • Chefman Compact Microwave

    9.3

    We recommend this Chefman microwave for its compact size and useful features that make it ideal for small spaces and everyday use.

    9.3

    We recommend this Chefman microwave for its compact size and useful features that make it ideal for small spaces and everyday use.

    Pros

    • Compact design perfect for small kitchens
    • Convenient preset options for common foods
    • Energy-saving eco mode

    Cons

    • May be too small for large families
    • Limited capacity for bigger dishes
    • Some users may find 900 watts underpowered

    The Chefman Compact Microwave packs a lot of functionality into a small package. At 0.9 cubic feet, it fits nicely in tight spaces like dorm rooms or small apartments. We found its stainless steel exterior attractive and easy to clean.

    In our tests, the 6 preset options worked well for common items like popcorn and pizza. The memory function was handy for saving our favorite settings. We liked being able to mute the beeps, which is great for late-night snacking without waking others.

    The eco mode is a nice touch, turning off the display when not in use to save power. The child safety lock gave us peace of mind, though it’s a bit fiddly to engage. While 900 watts isn’t the most powerful, it heated our food evenly in our trials. For most basic reheating and cooking tasks, we found it more than adequate.

  • Magic Chef Compact Microwave

    9.1

    We think this Magic Chef microwave is a solid choice for small spaces, offering good performance in a compact package.

    9.1

    We think this Magic Chef microwave is a solid choice for small spaces, offering good performance in a compact package.

    Pros

    • Small footprint saves counter space
    • Easy-to-use preset buttons
    • Child lock feature for safety

    Cons

    • Limited capacity for larger dishes
    • May not be powerful enough for some users
    • White color might not suit all kitchens

    We recently tried out the Magic Chef 0.7 cubic foot microwave and found it to be a nice option for tight spaces. Its compact size doesn’t hog counter space, which is great for small kitchens or dorm rooms. We like that it still packs 700 watts of power, which is enough for most basic reheating and cooking tasks.

    The preset buttons made it simple to cook common items like popcorn and pizza. We tried the potato button and got a nicely cooked spud without any fuss. The digital display is clear and easy to read, even from across the room. We also found the express cooking feature handy for quick zaps.

    We did notice that the small size limits what you can fit inside. Our dinner plates were a tight squeeze, so keep that in mind if you have larger dishware. The white exterior looks clean but might not match everyone’s decor. Despite these minor drawbacks, we think this Magic Chef microwave offers good value for its size and features.

  • Nostalgia Retro Microwave

    9

    We recommend this stylish and compact microwave for small spaces or retro-themed kitchens, despite some limitations in cooking performance.

    9

    We recommend this stylish and compact microwave for small spaces or retro-themed kitchens, despite some limitations in cooking performance.

    Pros

    • Eye-catching retro design
    • Compact size fits small spaces
    • User-friendly controls

    Cons

    • Slower cooking times
    • Limited capacity
    • May not heat evenly

    This Nostalgia microwave caught our eye with its sleek retro look. We found it perfect for tight spots in our test kitchen. The black finish and chrome accents add a cool vintage vibe without going overboard.

    Using it was a breeze. We liked the clear LED display and simple buttons. The pre-set options for popcorn and pizza came in handy. But we noticed it took longer to heat food compared to larger models we’ve tried.

    At 0.7 cubic feet, it’s not made for big meals. We could fit a dinner plate, but anything larger was a squeeze. The 700-watt power works for basic tasks, though we had to adjust cooking times. For small households or as a backup, it does the job with style.

  • Commercial Chef Compact Microwave

    8.7

    We recommend this small microwave for its simplicity, compact size, and reliable performance.

    8.7

    We recommend this small microwave for its simplicity, compact size, and reliable performance.

    Pros

    • Easy-to-use mechanical controls
    • Space-saving design
    • 6 versatile power levels

    Cons

    • Limited 600-watt power
    • Small 0.6 cubic foot capacity
    • Basic features only

    We recently tested the Commercial Chef Compact Microwave in our kitchen, and it’s a solid choice for small spaces. The mechanical dial controls are refreshingly simple to use. No confusing buttons or complicated menus here – just turn the dial to set the time and you’re good to go.

    At just 17.75 inches wide, this microwave fits nicely in tight spots. We tucked it into a corner of our countertop with room to spare. The black finish looks sleek and doesn’t show fingerprints easily.

    The 600-watt power isn’t the strongest, but it gets the job done for basic reheating and cooking tasks. We found the 6 power levels gave us good control to avoid overcooking. The defrost setting worked well on a frozen chicken breast.

    This microwave is best suited for individuals, couples, or small families. The 0.6 cubic foot capacity is enough for a dinner plate or small casserole dish, but don’t expect to fit larger items.

    We liked the built-in timer function and the satisfying “ding” when cooking is done. The turntable ensures even heating. While it lacks fancy features, this little microwave delivers reliable performance for everyday use.

  • COMFEE’ Compact Microwave

    8.7

    We think this small but mighty microwave is a great choice for tight spaces and basic heating needs.

    8.7

    We think this small but mighty microwave is a great choice for tight spaces and basic heating needs.

    Pros

    • Compact size fits well in small kitchens
    • Mute function for quiet operation
    • Energy-saving eco mode

    Cons

    • Lower wattage means longer cooking times
    • Small capacity limits dish sizes
    • Door can be tricky to open

    We recently tried out the COMFEE’ 0.7 cubic foot microwave in our test kitchen. Its compact size impressed us right away. At just 17 inches wide, it tucked neatly into a corner without hogging counter space.

    The controls were simple to use. We liked the one-touch buttons for common foods like popcorn and pizza. The mute option came in handy for early morning reheats without waking anyone up.

    At 700 watts, it’s not the most powerful microwave. Frozen meals took a bit longer than the package directions. But for basic tasks like warming leftovers or melting butter, it worked well. The eco mode is a nice touch to save energy when not in use.

    This microwave is best suited for individuals, couples, or small spaces like dorm rooms or offices. Families may find the 0.7 cubic foot capacity too limiting. We also noticed the door required a firm tug to open.

    For the price, we think this COMFEE’ model offers good value. It covers the essentials in a compact package. Just don’t expect it to handle large dishes or power through dense frozen foods quickly.

  • Farberware Compact Microwave

    8.6

    We think this Farberware microwave is a solid choice for small spaces, offering good performance in a compact package.

    8.6

    We think this Farberware microwave is a solid choice for small spaces, offering good performance in a compact package.

    Pros

    • Powerful 1000-watt output
    • User-friendly one-touch controls
    • Fits well in tight spaces

    Cons

    • Interior light could be brighter
    • Door feels a bit flimsy
    • Beep sound is quite loud

    We put this Farberware microwave through its paces in our test kitchen. Its 1.1 cubic foot capacity is just right for apartments or dorms. We liked how it heated food evenly and quickly.

    The six preset buttons came in handy for common items like popcorn and pizza. We found the defrost function worked well too. The digital display is clear and easy to read.

    One thing we noticed is the interior light isn’t very bright. It can be hard to see inside while cooking. The door also feels a bit lightweight when opening and closing. But these are minor gripes for an otherwise solid small microwave.

Buying Guide

When shopping for a small microwave, there are a few key things to consider:

Size and Capacity

We recommend measuring your available counter space first. Look at the external dimensions as well as the internal capacity in cubic feet. A compact model between 0.5-0.9 cubic feet is ideal for most small kitchens.

Wattage

Higher wattage generally means faster cooking times. For a small microwave, we suggest looking for 600-800 watts for efficient heating.

Features

Some handy features to look for include:

  • Multiple power levels
  • Preset cooking programs
  • Quick start buttons
  • Turntable
  • Child safety lock

Ease of Use

We prefer microwaves with simple, intuitive controls. Look for large, clear buttons and an easy-to-read display.

Noise Level

Small microwaves can sometimes be noisy. If possible, test the noise level in-store or check user reviews.

Energy Efficiency

An Energy Star certified model can help reduce power consumption.

Price

Small microwaves typically range from $50-$150. We find the sweet spot for quality and features is usually around $75-$100.

Warranty

We recommend choosing a model with at least a 1-year warranty for peace of mind.

By keeping these factors in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the best small microwave for your needs.